On September 8, 2025 Ronald Lee Bender passed peacefully as Jesus wrapped his loving arms around him and carried him home to be with his ancestors in heaven.

Born May 11, 1941 Ronnie spent his early years on his grandparent's farm near Baer Field while his father served in WWII.  He married the mother of his children, Wendy K. Bender (Fryer) in 1963 and raised their four children on a small working farm outside of Avilla, IN.  They Survive: Christopher Lee Bender of Garrett, Julie Ann (Monte) Claymiller of Kendallville, Richard Lee (Maggie) Bender of Goshen and Edward Lee (Kelly) Bender of Auburn.

He worked the majority of his career at United Telephone Services and assisted the rural communities he served advance from party lines to fiber optics.  Ronnie enjoyed the simple things in life and retired to a small cabin in the Hoosier National Forest outside English, Indiana where he enjoyed fishing, shooting, tractors, feeding his humming birds and his pets Minnie & Buddy. His impish sense of humor endeared many and will be missed by those who loved him.

Also surviving are his 8 grandchildren: Zachary Lee, Mackenzie Kay, Addison Grace, Jackson Lee and Lyndsay Marie Bender and Daniel Paul, Alyssa Christine and Sarah Ellyn Claymiller, four brothers; Mike, John, Al and Dean and two sisters, Emily Smith and Bev Crozier and his friend Lois Cunningham.   He was proceeded in death by his parents Roy & Edith Bender and his sister Martha Lee.

Services for Ronald Lee Bender will take place at Divine Mercy Funeral Home-Cedar Canyons, 1986 W. Cedar Canyons Rd., Huntertown, IN 46748. A time of visitation will be held from 6-8:00 pm Friday, September 12, 2025, and again one hour prior to the funeral service held at 11:30 am Saturday, September 13, 2025. Burial will follow at Prairie Grove Cemetery in Fort Wayne.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Humane Society of DeKalb County or St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Online condolences may be left at www.divinemercyfuneralhome.com.